WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Several Democrats seeking the nomination for U.S. president said they would support programs to help HIV prevention, an AIDS advocacy group said Thursday.
Six of the seven people seeking the Democratic Party's nomination responded to a survey from AIDSVote, a group that serves as a candidate and voter education campaign.
The group said the respondents -- retired Gen. Wesley Clark, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn. -- indicated support for increased funding for the Ryan White CARE Act.
The candidates' answers included support for the lifting of a federal ban on needle exchange as a way to help HIV prevention. They also indicated support for the overturning of a law banning HIV-positive foreigners from entering the United States.
Michael Kink of Housing Works in New York said in a release: "The candidates' responses illustrate their understanding of the critical leadership role the White House must play in the fight against AIDS. We hope this information will help the electorate understand that critical role as well."
President Bush and Al Sharpton did not respond to requests for information by AIDSVote, the group said.
